Timing Belt

This guide will help you replace the timing belt


https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/dodge/stratus/2005


The crankshaft sprocket will stay where you put it, but the camshaft sprocket will want to rotate due to the valve spring pressure pushing on the cam lobes. The best you might be able to do is to hold the cam sprocket in position while installing the belt, but do that by making the belt tight between the sprockets, and having all the slack on the side by the tensioner pulley. That way when you tighten it, there won't be any slack on the backside so the sprockets won't turn.

If the belt is still off by one or two teeth, just keep moving the belt one tooth at a time on one sprocket, then tighten it again. If it's still off, keep doing that one tooth at a time until it comes out right when it's tight.

I was driving on the freeway and my car just died. I thought I was low on gas so I thought it might have just been out of gas so I called AAA.
We added gas and it didn't work. They said it was probably a fuel injector. So we towed it to my mechanic which I don't necessarily trust but don't know anyone else.
He says my timing belt broke on my 2005 Dodge Stratus SXT.
It has a 2.4 engine and 140,000 miles. He says it will be at least $1200 but won't know until he opens it up as he just opened the cover and said it broke.
I have been calling around for quotes. Some say just the timing belt and pump while others are saying likely valve damage.
Some say if there is valve damage it will cost the same to replace the engine as to fix the valves.
I'm getting so many different quotes and suggestions from mechanics that I really don't know who is telling me the truth.
I appreciate any advice. How likely is it the valves are damaged and if so should I replace the engine?

engine damage is very likely
but also you may be OK
so this is what i would do
have the timing belt put on
and do a compression test
they should be able to do it no problem
out of many i had done 1 was no good
and still every one comes in remove the old belt install new belt and do a compression test
if OK replace pump and other ...
good luck

So do you think it is likely to be the timing belt? So should I ask to just replace the belt and run the compression test and if the test is ok then replace water pump and ":other"?
Also if the test i not ok what does that mean and what should I do in that case?
Sorry I am just trying to be clear. I appreciate the help.

Not a problem feel free to ask it all

We do many and I ve seen a lot
each case is different the more I think about it the more I cannot remember more than one or two that was with head and valve problems

basically the only way to be sure that your engine is still any good is by replacing the timing belt
and then doing a compression test

if pass the compression test do replace water pump and put it all together





If failed compression test
then head must come of for repair
but know you now which cylinders that was effected and how many valve is needed

My car wont start replaced battery alternator tested good and replaced camshaft position sensor after getting error code p0340. Took off timing belt cover and when cranking timing belt did not turn.

belts probably stripped at crank pulley

So the timing belt broke tenisor falied etc your going to have to get in there and see what happened.Also which engine do you have?

2.4L

Thats a interfernce engine so you may have down some valve damage when the belt let go.

Engine Mechanical problem
2004 Dodge Stratus 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

how can i find the difference between the exhaust stroke and the compression stoke?

If T belt broke while engine running then valve damage has happened. See diagrams for timimg

My car started shaking and died on the highway. I had the timing belt replaced about a year ago. My oil pressure and amount was good and it wasn't over heating or running hot and the coolant levels were fine. I checked the timing belt and it is fine....what else could I check? The car cranks but will not start. The check engine light is not on. Also the fuel pumps are running when I turn the key. help please!!

[quote:676917b7ed="gr8pmkn50"]Engine Mechanical problem
2004 Dodge Stratus 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150,00 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
My car started shaking and died on the highway. I had the timing belt replaced about a year ago. My oil pressure and amount was good and it wasn't over heating or running hot and the coolant levels were fine. I checked the timing belt and it is fine....what else could I check? The car cranks but will not start. The check engine light is not on. Also the fuel pumps are running when I turn the key. help please!![/quote:676917b7ed]

Check for spark at plugs. Spark color should be Bluish/White.

If no spark check for power at coil pack.

Post finding here in forum...

The check engine light on my sons car pops on and the engine is limited to 2200 rpm about every five times you drive it. The mechanic says it is either the timing belt or the cam shaft sensor. Large price differential between the two repairs. Any advice on replacing the timing belt right away? or is there a cheap test which can be done to pinpoint the problem? Thanks for your help

timing belts don't cause a problem and then work normally again.
When they go, you know it.

so if have to pick one of the two, i'll go with the sensor.

Thank you so much for the help, it is by far the less expensive fix and being electrical made more sense to me for the intermittant problem. Having someone else say that makes me much more comfortable.

The guy also says this problem can be caused by the timing belt tensioner. I am hoping the sensor is the problem, as that is what I gave him permission to fix. Could it still be the timing belt? and if so, is it possible to only change the tensioner and make it not so expensive!?

I very much doubt that it is the tensioner.

Hi,
I have a water pump leak and they to fix it they are asking for $950(parts and labour).They say it is six hour labour and have to change timing belt too
at the same time.

Is that true?What do i need to do?.

Thankyou in advance.

You don't HAVE to replace the timing belt, but the mechanic is looking out for you in the long run. Replacing it is a big job that, based on the mileage, will be necessary in a few years. The belt must be removed to replace the water pump, so to replace it with a new one doesn't require any additional labor, just the cost of the new belt.

Your car was definitely not designed for ease of service, however, I looked up the labor times on Chrysler's web site, and was real surprised to see that they only allow 2.3 hours to replace the water pump. That's warranty time which is tight even under ideal conditions. Out-of-warranty times are always a little longer to include such things as broken or rusty bolts.

I didn't look for the cost of a remanufactured water pump, but I would guess it is less than $100.00. A timing belt is typically around 50 bucks. Figure another 50 bucks for antifreeze, gasket sealers or other incidentals, and that still leaves $750.00 for labor. Even if you allowed 3.0 houurs, that's $250.00 per hour for labor. Due to the vey high cost of updating test equipment and leasing service information, most shops have to charge $100.00 to break even. I don't know of any shop that's worth $250.00 per hour.

The 2.3 hours seems way too little time, but to be safe, I would suggest calling a couple of different shops for a second opinion. Be sure to include everything on the itemized estimate if you have one.

caradiodoc

Hi, I noticed that my car stopped producing heat when I was stopped at a stop light. I was told it was either my radiator leaking or a problem with my water pump. I took it to a local repair shop and was told that the water pump is leaking and needs to be replaced. I was also told that my timing belt should be replaced. I looked at my history of repairs and noticed that my timing belt was changed about 2 years ago (when my mileage was at 74K. It's now at about 117K). Should I still need to have the timing belt changed since it was done so recently? Thanks!

unless the belt is stretched or damaged then it wouldn't need replaced with just the 45k miles you put on it. with the faulty pump, it may have damaged the timing belt though and that is why the repair shop says it needs replaced as well. since they are replacing water pump, should go ahead and replace timing belt anyway because it must be removed in process of replacing water pump

Im replacing the timing belt on a 2002 dodge stratus with dohc, i have all of the pulleys and parts in the correct locations, but for some reason I cant get the actual belt to fit around them. I double checked to make sure I had the correct belt for my vehicle, do you have any pointers or suggestions on how to make the belt fit properly?

I show a chain for the 2.7L in an Intrepid. Don't have the service manual for a Stratus. If you have a belt, look for a hydraulic tensioner and pulley. Most likely that tensioner has to be removed, squeezed in a vise, then there will be a small hole to stick a cotter pin or small nail to hold it retracted while you install it. You can pull that pin out once the belt is installed.

While driving my 2000 Dodge Stratus, I noticed it seemed to be slowing down even as I pushed on the gas pedal harder. It was then I noticed the engine was no longer running at all...it just stopped right in the middle of the road. Luckily, I was able to pull off onto a side street and safety. The car would not restart at all..not one little single solitary little click...BUT all the electrical worked...radio, windows, power steering, air conditioning. I heard no loud noise when the car died...no clunks, no bangs...nothing.

The mechanic is looking now and I am waiting for the call. I anticipate a timing belt break. Whatis necessary to repair it?

Hi
Well if belt you have an interference engine.That means when belt goes pistons hit valves bending them. So head comes off and valves replaced new belt. And it will be a little pricey.
Sorry to bring bad news
Thanks for donate

Ok--I have confirmation it was a timing belt (interference engine) and resulted in bending valves. Again--just to confirm--this will result in a new engine as the best option? I am having it moved to a different shop (the ones who did the assessment do not do engine replace/repairs).

Thanks

No need for new engine remove cylinder heads replace the bent valves, new belt and your back on the road. Not all valves will be bent just the cylinders that valves wher open at the time belt broke

Wow mottone, thank you for virtually copying and pasting my question word-for-word (see question titled "2001 Dodge Stratus just stopped on me while driving" posted on July 15th). I got the answer I needed! Thank you!

2001 Dodge Stratus 4 cyl dual ohcam
timing belt broke no noise
Is this motor an interference?
Can timing belt be replaced without removing engine?

Can't remember about the 6 cylinder engine but yes, the 4 cylinder is an interference engine. The belt can be replaced without removing the engine. I only show a single cam for the 2.0L engine but I only have a 2000 service manual. My suggestion is to install the belt but do a compression test before you put everything back together. If compression is good on all cylinders, the dohc might not be an interference engine.

The DOHC is a free wheeling engine but it can make valve to valve contact if the cams are rotated independently. It can be done in the car but it's tight.

I replaced the timing belt after it broke. Checked and double checked the timing I am certain it is correct. Car runs rough at idle and sometimes dies but runs smoothly when driving and RPM’s are up. Performed compression test and found cylinders 1, and 2 at 205 PSI found cylinder 3 at 175 psi and #4 at 150 psi. My question is with the 2.4 DOCH engine in this Stratus is valve train damage all most certain. I am very familiar with GM but don't have much of experience with Chrysler products. I am a a soldier hwo just returned from Iraq and am fixing my car my self as I don't have allot of funds available.

Thank you for your service.

Yes, valve damage occurs when the belt breaks, but it is usually much more severe than simply running roughly. The compression readings suggest the valves aren't the problem. Did the belt really break or just jump a tooth or two?

If you had the battery disconnected, the Engine Computer will have to relearn minimum throttle. To meet the conditions for that to occur, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.

caradiodoc

Yes the belt did break the engine was at idle in traffic.
Thank you for your insight. I have don nothing but city driving since the repair. I will give this procedure a try. Thanks again

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